BASEBALL: James Buchanan knocks off Greencastle-Antrim

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Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA

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Posted Apr. 18, 2013 at 10:00 AM

Posted Apr. 18, 2013 at 10:00 AM

MERCERSBURG — With today's marquee showdown against Waynesboro looming, the Greencastle-Antrim varsity baseball team failed to take care of the business at hand on Wednesday, losing to James Buchanan 6-3 in Mid-Penn Colonial Division action.

At first glance, it's easy to assume the Blue Devils fell victim to a 'trap' game, with so much emphasis being put on this afternoon's game with the Indians. Instead, according to G-A head coach Eric Shaner, the Rockets were simply the better team on Wednesday, collecting 11 hits while breaking a 3-3 tie by scoring three runs in the fifth to secure the victory.

"I don't think we overlooked them," Shaner explained. "JB just played a really nice game. They came out, hit the ball well and beat us. That's the bottom line."

The Blue Devils (6-3, 3-2 MPC-Colonial) jumped on the board early, plating all three of their eventual runs in the top of the first, seemingly setting the tone.

Unfazed, the Rockets (5-6, 2-4 MPC-Colonial) responded by pushing three across in the home half of the inning, abruptly keeping pace.

The knotted score stood until the bottom of the fifth, when JB broke things open en route to the win.

"We were hitting shots, but they were right at guys," Shaner said. "We left a couple runs out there that might of made a difference, but JB made nice adjustments and earned the win."

Jake Crist finished with a double and two RBI to lead the Blue Devils while Kurt Hansen, Ashtin Byers, Hunter Szaflarski, Holden Baker and Cam Chilcote each contributed a hit in the loss.

Levi Deike paced the Rockets, going 3-for-3 with a triple and two RBI. Josiah Utermoehlen, Isaac Sipes, Jake Muller and Grant Buchanan each added two hits for JB.

Tanner Eichelberger recorded the complete-game victory, scattering six hits while striking out five.

Today's game between G-A and Waynesboro is set to begin at 4:15 in Greencastle.